advise with my 450
Discussion
can somebody put my mind at rest i'v e owned my chimaera for just over a week, the previous owner informed me that oil pressure averaged 45psi ive driven it 150 miles on the motorway and pressure is dropping, down to <30psi is this normal or should i try and find some mobil 1? and where can i buy mobil 1, 5_50w?
It's a while since I've been in a Chimaera, but from what I recall of my 450 it ran between 15 - 45 PSI most of the time, depending upon engine RPM and oil temp.
For peace of mind get a reliable garage / TVR indie or dealer to test the pressure using something more reliable than TVR's gauge.
9 times out of 10 a low reading will be caused by a faulty pressure sender - if you don't fancy those odds then don't drive it to the dealer, get it on a low loader.
For peace of mind get a reliable garage / TVR indie or dealer to test the pressure using something more reliable than TVR's gauge.
9 times out of 10 a low reading will be caused by a faulty pressure sender - if you don't fancy those odds then don't drive it to the dealer, get it on a low loader.
When you say pressure is dropping below 30 do you mean when under power or when idle? Mine idles just over 15 when warm but sits around 30-45 when in use.
Check your oil levels (should be done weekly without fail) but I'd say it's more likely to be a sender, though best just to get your local garage to take a look. Time to really worry is when the pressure doesn't even register at all...
Check your oil levels (should be done weekly without fail) but I'd say it's more likely to be a sender, though best just to get your local garage to take a look. Time to really worry is when the pressure doesn't even register at all...
UpTheIron said:
Time to really worry is when the pressure doesn't even register at all...
And you are doing a three figure speed at the time. Been there.
I paniced a bit when I spun my S through three figures (at least 360) and theb oil pressure dropped to zero
but all ok ... instant engine off... count slowly to 10.... back on .... all ok..... non baffled sumps and 360 degree spins 
Luckily it was on a driver training day at North Weald
UpTheIron said:
It's a while since I've been in a Chimaera, but from what I recall of my 450 it ran between 15 - 45 PSI most of the time, depending upon engine RPM and oil temp.
Same as mine - also depends on oil grade and the weather.
i.e with mobil 1 and a hot day don't expect the guage to register that high a PSI as it will the oil will be very thin.
puff and zippee you've hit me spot on, it was very hot on the way down to christchurch today... and pressure was low on idle thin oil makes sense, she left a little drip on the driveway after the ordeal...and was running at a lttle over 90.c :::>burst on the motorway to cool and was fine i'll keep you informed .. you all heading up to norfolk next weekend? anyone want to convoy from kent?
Don't forget the Rover V8 is a 'low pressure, high volume' type of engine, as has previously been mentioned as long as there is decent movement upwards from idle to 2000 rpm it should be fine. Avoid low viscosity oils such as Mobil 1 as they are too thin for the engine. Semi-synthetic 15-50 may well be a good bet. Not forgetting regular oil changes as well (I used 3,000 miles as an oil change interval).
Hiya
Dont bother with Mobil 1 - I recommend you use Shell Helix 10W 60. Costs a little bit more, you can get it from Leven. Well worth it! Pressure should be between 30-50psi whilst driving, 10-15psi at idle. If still having problems do the usual checks gaskets, oil pump etc! Let me know if I can help any further.
Cerby.
Dont bother with Mobil 1 - I recommend you use Shell Helix 10W 60. Costs a little bit more, you can get it from Leven. Well worth it! Pressure should be between 30-50psi whilst driving, 10-15psi at idle. If still having problems do the usual checks gaskets, oil pump etc! Let me know if I can help any further.
Cerby.
kevinday said:
Avoid low viscosity oils such as Mobil 1 as they are too thin for the engine. Semi-synthetic 15-50 may well be a good bet.
I would have agreed with everything that you've said apart from this contradiction as M1 is available in many grades: www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html www.atis.net/oil_faq.html
Interesting reading, my oil.p was reading about 35 under revs and no lower than 20 at idle before my last service.
Now it reads around 32 under revs, but as low as 10 at idle (when thoroughly heat soaked). Don't know what oil was in it before the service, but now it is Mobil 1, so I can only assume the pressure change is due to different viscosity. The pressure consistently rises with revs though, so i'm not too worried.
Now it reads around 32 under revs, but as low as 10 at idle (when thoroughly heat soaked). Don't know what oil was in it before the service, but now it is Mobil 1, so I can only assume the pressure change is due to different viscosity. The pressure consistently rises with revs though, so i'm not too worried.
God, this old chestnut again.
There are a load of very good threads covering all aspects of this topic.
Don't confuse ordinary Mobil 1 with Mobil 1 Motorsport which is higher viscocity 15W-50 IIRC which is ideally suited to the RV8 and very high quality (but expensive) If you accept all Opieoilmans (et al) comments then Silkolene products are probably at least as good and poss less expensive.
happy searching!
PS: I get my Mobil 1 Motorsport from Halfrauds
There are a load of very good threads covering all aspects of this topic.
Don't confuse ordinary Mobil 1 with Mobil 1 Motorsport which is higher viscocity 15W-50 IIRC which is ideally suited to the RV8 and very high quality (but expensive) If you accept all Opieoilmans (et al) comments then Silkolene products are probably at least as good and poss less expensive.
happy searching!
PS: I get my Mobil 1 Motorsport from Halfrauds
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